In addition to candidate op-eds, our Special Election Issue also provides each political town committee with the opportunity to submit one, 600-word op-ed on behalf of its endorsed candidates running for municipal seats, and/or its platform. More information is available in GMW’s Election Guidelines and Policies.
I’ll confess: I’m baffled that almost half the country supports the current Presidential administration. I don’t get it. On issue after issue, the country supports Democratic principles, yet Donald Trump’s visceral, inconsistent, pugilist politics holds sway. Closer to home, Wilton also feels off track and without vision or strategy to achieve the future we all want for ourselves and our children.
Let’s start to correct the deep erosions that feel increasingly dire. Let’s get back on track.
Local Democratic wins signal to the whole country that voters truly care about fair tax structures, national debt, rule of law, respectful international relations, reproductive freedoms, independent judiciary, freedom of speech, climate science, opportunity for all, and access to healthcare. It’s extraordinary that the greatest and wealthiest country in the history of the earth still considers some people worthy of healthcare and others not. Further, local wins demonstrate that the country notices the administration’s unprecedented corruption (crypto scams, free 747, lawsuits blackmailing media, sweetheart international land deals, Trump watches made in China…)
Locally, Wilton isn’t rising to our challenges. Town Hall is failing the basic governance of budgets, accounting and approval processes. We’re increasingly crippled by surprise resignations and terminations, and we can’t even align on the basics of the Ambler Farm lease. Meanwhile our Republican-controlled Planning and Zoning Commission failed on both Hubbard Rd. and Kimco — and too many Wiltonians feel unable to voice their opinions regarding P&Z’s actions.
On Hubbard Rd. (behind Wilton Library), P&Z’s inability to effectively negotiate forced the developer to proceed under 8-30g (which overrides certain zoning rules if a developer reserves 30% of units for median income housing). P&Z’s failure directly resulted in Hubbard Rd.’s incongruous size and fifth floor. Incredibly, Hubbard Rd. is the first time since 8-30g’s passage in 1989 that a Wilton P&Z has been unable to prevent a developer from employing it. On Kimco (razing and redeveloping several large buildings next to Stop & Shop), P&Z Republicans simply shrugged their shoulders after discovering their own failure to include their own desired median income housing requirements in their own regulations. Thank you to the three P&Z Democrats who opposed Kimco’s abusive plans, but the project is still proceeding with Republican acquiescence. Importantly, P&Z’s failure to hold Kimco to Wilton’s own local standards wrecked any reasonable opportunity for Wilton to receive an exemption under 8-30g, leaving our town more vulnerable to abusive developers.
Wilton currently has no effective leadership envisioning our future, and we still haven’t gotten our arms around the next decade’s $150 million (and growing) capital expense bill. Incredibly, Wilton’s Republican leadership seems focused on fighting over blame for the failures (most often against each other) rather than leading co-operatively and effectively. Wilton needs change.
Wilton’s Democrats present a superb slate of candidates who’ll get Wilton back on track. They have the experience, professional backgrounds and resolve to turn our corner. And they commit to establishing new venues for transparency and community dialogue. Learn more at wiltondems.org about Rich McCarty and David Tatkow for Board of Selectmen; Eric Fanwick and Kari Roberts for Board of Finance; Pam Ely and Nicola Davies for Board of Education; Ken Hoffman, Trevor Huffard, Margit Ritz, Jessica Rainey and Michelle Saglimbene for P&Z; Tony Iorfino, Liz Schiff and Patti Frisch (Alternate) for ZBA; Becca LaMantia for Assessment Appeals; and Bo Mitchell, Ernie Ricco and Sara Sclafani for Constable.
We understand how much a commitment it is to run for office and to serve. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up, regardless of party. We ask you to support Wilton’s Democrats this year to get Wilton back on track.